Ep 435: The True Cost of Motherhood in America

Today is Mom’s Equal Pay Day so we’re talking about the reality of motherhood in America today, no not the reality we see on social media where momfluencers make pregnancy to childbirth, to raising multiple kids seem like a breeze…we’re talking about what it’s really like to have kids in a country that doesn’t make it easy for us.  Jessica Grose, author of, “Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood,” said she did everything right before she had kids, she was married, had a successful, thriving career, and was debt-free, but she still wasn’t ready for the reality of motherhood, and doesn’t think any of us are. We go over what every woman should do before welcoming a new addition to set themselves up for success. Takeaways: Having children in America can have negative financial and career implications. Cultural norms around motherhood in the United States are contradictory and place unrealistic expectations on mothers. Governmental solutions such as paid family leave and affordable childcare are needed to support working parents. Parents should support each other and ask for help when needed, and society should be more understanding and less judgmental of parents in public spaces. Chapters: 0:00 Challenges of Motherhood in America 11:16 Changing Expectations of Motherhood 15:33 Paid Family Leave and Solutions 22:32 Childcare Costs and Inflation 24:22 Advice for Parents Considering New Jobs 27:33 Transition to Mailbag Segment  33:30 Mailbag Question 1: Managing a $2 Million Inheritance 38:26 Mailbag Question 2: Splitting Finances with A Live-In Partner Have a question for us? Write to us at [email protected]. While you’re at it, join the HerMoney community! For the latest episode drops and financial news-you-can-use, subscribe to our newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! Thank you to Gainbridge® for supporting the HerMoney podcast. Gainbridge® created ParityFlex™, a multi-year guaranteed annuity, to offer women security and flexibility at a time when they need it the most—retirement. Learn more about ParityFlex™ here. The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices